Arizona Lawyers May Split Fees With Attorneys Licensed Elsewhere

Part of an Arizona attorney’s fee may be shared with out-of-state counsel so long as the client gives written consent, the lawyers take joint responsibility for the matter, the total fee is reasonable, and the non-Arizona attorney avoids engaging in unauthorized practice, according to an opinion issued by the Arizona bar’s ethics panel (Arizona State Bar Comm. on the Rules of Professional Conduct, Op. 10-04, 6/10).

The committee said that in order to participate, the out-of-state lawyer must be in good standing in another state and that the Arizona attorney must actively participate in the matter. The non-Arizona ...